Detergent-supply system and washing machine using the same

• US 20050210927A1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Hur, Chi Wan, Kim, Gon, Kim, Jae Kyum
• Granted Patent: US 7,555,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/3.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

A detergent-supply system and a washing machine using the same. The detergent-supply system includes a guide rib formed on the bottom surface of a housing for guiding wash water, supplied to the rear part of the housing, to the front part of the housing, thereby washing out detergent remaining in the front part of the housing. The detergent-supply system further includes slits formed in the guide rib for spraying wash water, thereby completely eliminating the detergent remaining on the bottom surface of the housing.

Claims

1. A detergent-supply system comprising:

a housing provided with an outlet formed through one side thereof for discharging detergent and supplied water;

a detergent container installed in the housing for containing the detergent therein and supplying the detergent and the supplied water to the housing; and

a guide unit installed on the bottom surface of the housing for guiding the supplied water to the other side of the housing opposite to the outlet so that the detergent remaining on the bottom surface of the housing is washed out by the supplied water.

2. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the guide unit is a guide rib protruded from the bottom surface of the housing in a longitudinal direction.

3. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 2,

wherein the bottom surface of the housing includes left and right inclined portions respectively extended from both side surfaces of the housing and inclined downwardly, and a bottom portion connecting the left and right inclined portions.

4. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the guide rib is formed on at least one of the left and right inclined portions.

5. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 4,

wherein one end of the guide rib contacts the rear surface of the housing, and the other end of the guide rib is separated from the opened front surface of the housing by a designated interval.

6. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 2,

wherein slits for partially spraying the water guided along the guide rib are formed in the guide rib.

7. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 6,

wherein the slits are prepared in plural number.

8. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 7,

wherein a plurality of the slits are separated from one another by a designated interval in the longitudinal direction of the guide rib.

9. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 6,

wherein the slits are formed in the top end of the guide rib.

10. The detergent-supply system as set forth in claim 9,

wherein the slits are U-shaped.

11. A detergent-supply device and a washing machine using the same, said detergent-supply device comprising:

a drum rotatably installed in a tub;

a water supply hose, one end of which is connected to a water supply hole of the tub;

a housing, to which the other end of the water supply hose is connected, provided with an outlet formed through one side thereof for discharging detergent and supplied water;

a detergent container installed in the housing for containing the detergent therein and supplying the detergent and the supplied water to the housing; and

a guide unit installed on the bottom surface of the housing for guiding the supplied water to the other side of the housing opposite to the outlet so that the detergent remaining on the bottom surface of the housing is washed out by the supplied water.

12. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same as set forth in claim 11,

wherein the guide unit is a guide rib protruded from the bottom surface of the housing in a longitudinal direction.

13. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same as set forth in claim 12,

wherein the bottom surface of the housing includes left and right inclined portions respectively extended from both side surfaces of the housing and inclined downwardly, and a bottom portion connecting the left and right inclined portions.

14. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same as set forth in claim 13,

wherein the guide rib is formed on at least one of the left and right inclined portions.

15. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same as set forth in claim 14,

wherein one end of the guide rib contacts the rear surface of the housing, and the other end of the guide rib is separated from the opened front surface of the housing by a designated interval.

16. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same s set forth in claim 12,

wherein slits for partially spraying the water guided along the guide rib are formed in the guide rib.

17. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same as set forth in claim 16,

wherein the slits are prepared in plural number such that the slits are separated from one another by a designated interval in the longitudinal direction of the guide rib.

18. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same as set forth in claim 16,

wherein the slits are formed in the top end of the guide rib.

19. The detergent-supply system and the washing machine using the same as set forth in claim 18,

wherein the slits are U-shaped.

20. A detergent-supply device and a washing machine using the same, said detergent-supply device comprising:

a drum rotatably installed in a tub;

a water supply hose, one end of which is connected to a water supply hole of the tub;

a housing, to which the other end of the water supply hose is connected, provided with an outlet formed through one side thereof for discharging detergent and supplied water;

a detergent container installed in the housing for containing the detergent therein and supplying the detergent and the supplied water to the housing; and

a guide unit installed on the bottom surface of the housing for guiding the supplied water to the other side of the housing opposite to the outlet so that the detergent remaining on the bottom surface of the housing is washed out by the supplied water,

wherein the guide unit is a guide rib protruded from the bottom surface of the housing in a longitudinal direction; and

a plurality of slits having U-shapes for partially spraying the water guided along the guide rib are formed in the top end of the guide rib.